undershirts

Ladies: Don’t let your husband or boyfriend continue settling for sub-par, supermarket-bought boxer briefs. They pill, they fade, they sag. You both deserve better—so if he’s been nice this year, drop a couple pairs of Naked Underwear in his stocking (along with a flask and a knife, for good measure).

Gents: Abs lesser than the guy’s above are not a deal breaker, but ratty drawers are. If you know what’s good for you—and have any interest in recreating a similar scene this Yuletide—realize that your 12-year-old self was wrong: Underwear is, in fact, a killer Christmas present.

Naked leads the underwear pack for two reasons: Fit and Fabric. Here are a few notes on Naked’s high-end fabrics, all of which are ethically made in Europe:

Micromodal—spun on a 44-gauge machine; softer than silk; Oekotech certified (a mark of companies that stand for new ideas in environmental protection, waste disposal and recycling).

Microfiber—spun with distilled water from the Italian alps; has a smooth, clean finish; bluesign® certified (one of the highest environmental standards in the textile industry).

Cotton—luxuriously soft, and crafted using green-friendly processes in Europe.

For further insights on Naked’s revolutionary fit, fabrics, and general philosophy, check out the video below, featuring company founder Joel Primus.

Your underwear, on the other hand, should be relegated to the dust bin upon the slightest sign of wear and tear. (If, that is, you plan on anyone’s eyes other than your own catching even a fleeting glimpse of them. )

Do everyone a favor and upgrade from the ratty bulk brand you gravitated toward in college to the streamlined shorts and flattering briefs (now making a comeback) by Hugo Boss.

You’ll look exactly like the guys above. Just kidding. But you will notice a huge difference in how they look and feel, and—with our entire stock of Hugo Boss underwear, undershirts and socks currently 25% off—your wallet will be none the wiser.

Other things—like ‘Marky’ Mark Wahlberg’s improvised dialog in this 1991, MTV-debuted television ad—don’t hold up as well over time. (See a more timeless view of the ’90s in our previous post on photographer Herb Ritts.)

To balance out some of the awkward moments (and testosterone) in the clip above, here are two more Calvin Klein ads, starring Kate Moss (sans Marky) and Eva Mendes, that will likely look as good in 20 years as they do now.

Need another reason to keep your drawer stocked with fresh-from-the-package bedroom attire?Calvin Klein socks, underwear and undershirts are 25% off now through October 8.SHOP CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR SALE

“Calvin Klein has some of the best-fitting underwear out there and their T-shirts are no different. They fit spectacularly and are our go-to T-shirt here at GQ. As much as the brand’s ad campaigns are edgy and progressive, they do iconic American basics uncompromisingly well. These T-shirts have a precisely cut sleeve that fits around the arm perfectly and ribbing at the neck that’s just the right width. It’s a chance to own a little bit of that James Dean mystique and mojo for not a lot of money.“

—Jim Moore, GQ Creative Director

Each month for the next six months, the editors of GQ, in collaboration with Nordstrom Men’s Fashion Director Tommy Fazio, will select key items from the pages of GQ to feature right here on Nordstrom.com.

Zippers. Buttons. Chafing. There are plenty of reasons to pull on a trusty undergarment every morning.

However, the benefits of a stylish first layer extend far beyond mere functionality. What the debonair George Costanza (above) lacks in definition, he makes up for in confidence, thanks to a classic, masculine pair of boxer shorts.

Our guy Arthur is clearly doing something right, too—how else would he find himself posing as an extra in a women’s lingerie catalog?

Whether chilling in the boudouir, prepping breakfast in bed for his partner in crime, or participating in full-contact sports (pillow fight—what did you think?), he proves that what you wear behind closed doors should be just as on-point as the rest of your wardrobe. If your pairs are not up to par, the time to stock up is now.